Backstitching question
 

I'm fairly new to quilting as well as to my 'new' Singer 15k88 treadle machine. I am making paper pieced blocks for the "building houses from scraps" quilt. I've only made about 60 so far - on my FW as well as my trusty 201. I would now like to switch to making them solely on my treadle and would like to know if it is necessary to backstitch. I have been backstitching up until now but was wondering whether it was entirely necessary. TIA.

Edited to add that they are paper pieced blocks.

Any seam that is crossed by another does not require back stitching. The alternative to backstitching on a treadle when it is necessary is to tie bobbin and top thread together and leave a short (about 1”) tail before you cut the thread.

Thanks bjchad :) appreciate the tip!

Years ago before the reverse button, I was taught to start the seam about a quarter inch in and sew towards the edge and then turn around and go the opposite direction. Then do that at the end of the seam also. But I agree any seam that is crossed does not require backstitching.

Yes, you're on the right track ....
There is no reason to do any backstitching, until you are at the outermost border of your quilt!

I was taught the same as Maggie Sue, just turn it around.

I never bk stitch on PP'ing...you should be starting 1/4 inch prior to starting line and 1/4 beyond and like above ladies said all will be cross stitched over at some point.

This is a huge help.. thanks :)

Thanks for all the helpful advice :)

there lies the biggest worry...on the outside edge. But I was taught as maggie sue, and just flip it around. It's one of the joys of a treadle. I learned to sew clothes on my grandmothers treadle. Ah, the memories.....

I have found that if I don't back stitch even the tiniest bit that when I go to put the blocks together, sometimes there is the smallest of tugs on the fabric trying to get the seams to nest.....and it's these area's that open up. Would rather take the time and small amount of thread to back stitch than to have the quilt come apart in the future.

About sixty years ago I watch "George" in a sewing show on TV. He showed us how to secure the first and last stitches with a treadle.
When you start the seam, sew about two stitches. Stop and pull the fabric back to the end and sew to the other end.
When you get to the edge of the fabric, stop and pull the fabric back just a little to give you some loose thread. Then pull the fabric back and sew about two stitches to the end again.

Sometimes I do this with my modern machines, too. Some automatic back-stitches go back five stitches. That's way to much.

Another thing I do sometimes is hold on to the fabric at the first stitch and don't let the feed dogs pull it forward. I let another stitch or two go almost in the same hole. I've never done this at the end of a seam but I think I should do that there, too. I do get seams that stretch open sometimes when matching nesting seams.